Cholesterol Readings Explained
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What do those Cholesterol Readings Mean? Read on to find out!
It is a good idea to have your level of cholesterol checked periodically. You will receive a cholesterol reading that consists of your total cholesterol level, lipoprotein levels, triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol level.
This will give your physician an overall picture of your health.
Your physician will want three different levels checked to give him a combined reading. It is recommended that you have the cholesterol levels of the three which is the total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol monitored and checked.
The best total cholesterol reading is 200mg with a limit of 200 mg to 239mg. Experts predict you are at risk of having heart disease if you have a total of 240mg or above in your cholesterol readings.
LDL Cholesterol
Low density lipoprotein is known as bad cholesterol. If you have high levels of bad cholesterol, it can cause cholesterol deposits in the walls of your arteries which increases the risk of possible heart disease. The desirable LDL cholesterol level is below 200 milligrams. The borderline limit of LDL is between 200-240m. A dangerous level is considered to be 240 mg.
HDL Cholesterol
Good cholesterol is the high density lipoprotein. High density lipoprotein cleanses excess cholesterol from tissues to the liver. The liver then breaks it down and it becomes part of the bile for removal.
A recommended HDL level is 40mg. You must try to keep your HDL level within 40mg to 45mg.
Also keep in mind that it should never dip below 40g.
A level above 60mg protects the heart and helps improve brain functions because it protects the blood vessels.
This will give your physician an overall picture of your health.
Your physician will want three different levels checked to give him a combined reading. It is recommended that you have the cholesterol levels of the three which is the total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol monitored and checked.
The best total cholesterol reading is 200mg with a limit of 200 mg to 239mg. Experts predict you are at risk of having heart disease if you have a total of 240mg or above in your cholesterol readings.
LDL Cholesterol
Low density lipoprotein is known as bad cholesterol. If you have high levels of bad cholesterol, it can cause cholesterol deposits in the walls of your arteries which increases the risk of possible heart disease. The desirable LDL cholesterol level is below 200 milligrams. The borderline limit of LDL is between 200-240m. A dangerous level is considered to be 240 mg.
HDL Cholesterol
Good cholesterol is the high density lipoprotein. High density lipoprotein cleanses excess cholesterol from tissues to the liver. The liver then breaks it down and it becomes part of the bile for removal.
A recommended HDL level is 40mg. You must try to keep your HDL level within 40mg to 45mg.
Also keep in mind that it should never dip below 40g.
A level above 60mg protects the heart and helps improve brain functions because it protects the blood vessels.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a type of fat. It collects in the body as fat and then flows into the blood stream. Most fats in our diet are triglycerides.Triglycerides contribute to of heart disease. In high dosages, it thickens the blood and may cause a heart attack or stroke due to clotting of the blood.
The recommended triglyceride level is 150 below with a limit of 150 to 199. It should not exceed 200 above.
Keep in mind when reading your cholesterol level, there are no ideal readings. Ideal readings are different for everyone.
It depends on the individual's risk factor or genetic predisposition due to family history, sex, overall health condition and age.
Though physicians recommend if you have a total reading of over 240mg, it is an indication of a lifestyle change. This will increase your risk of having heart problems.
If you have a history of high cholesterol, you should be checked every one to two years.
Make sure you are doing everything possible to assure that you maintain a health lifestyle so that you can live a long and healthy life.
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Are you at Risk for Heart Disease?
Heart disease is a major killer of Americans every year. Unfortunately, many people do not know that they have heart disease or are at risk for developing heart disease, and so heart attacks come as a surprise to hundreds of thousands of people in this country every year.This does not have to be the case. With a little knowledge about the heart and how the body works, you can learn how to keep your heart healthy for many years.
It is extremely important to learn about heart disease. Are you at risk? Studies show that most people are moderate- or high-risk candidates.
Why is it important to assess your risk?
Thanks to modern medical knowledge, we can now treat heart disease and make lifestyle changes to positively lower the risk of a heart attack. Many people do not survive heart attacks.
This alone is unfortunate, but even worse is that fact that heart attacks often surprise families. If you know you are at risk for a heat attack, you can not only make positive changes in the way you live your life, but you and your family can also learn what to do in the event of a heart attack.
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This will increase your chances of survival.
First, look at your diet and exercise routine to assess your risk of having a heart attack. If you eat a diet high in fats, you are putting yourself at a high risk.Learn the difference between good fats and bad fats-it is true that your body needs some fats, but not the kind found in a fat food cheeseburger.
To go along with that, look at your exercise routine. Are you making sure to exercise every day? If not, you are putting yourself at risk.
Being overweight further puts you at risk for having a heart attack. You can get the most accurate look at your diet and exercise effects by studying your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
If they are high, make some lifestyle changes to prevent heart attack.
Other factors can put your at risk as well. For example, smoking increases the chance that you will develop heart disease and have a heart attack.
If you are a smoker, quit if possible or at least cut back on the amount you smoke every day.
Having diabetes also puts you at risk, as does a family history of heart disease. Even if you feel healthy, it is important to see your doctor if you have more than one sign of heart disease.
If you are at risk, learn more about heart disease so you can combat it.
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Get your free Health Report here:
Free Report Reveals the "ABC's of Heart Disease" See how easy it is Dealing with Coronary Disease for your Health Success
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If you have heart disease or are at risk, learn all you can about how the heart works and why heart disease occurs.
Click the link above or book cover to get your free Report & eCourse today!
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